Henry Austin John Guise

Henry was born in Calcutta India and moved with his mother Eleanor, his father Seymour and his siblings Peter, Marguerite, Ken, Richard, and Heather to Canada in the early 1950s. His stories about India were a source of ongoing fascination in our family. We often laughed that in his stories everything seemed to be larger than life (bugs, fruit, bushes). It was a place we never saw in person, but of which we were absolutely curious. We imagined the trains that bought he and his siblings to schools in the mountains; the hunts with his beloved father; the long boat ride that brought them across the ocean; and the struggles that they must have endured after the death of his father shortly after arriving in Canada.

He met our mother Pierrette and started our family. It was a blending of English and French cultures. Our memories are of enlightening debates and conversations at the dinner table, CBC always playing in the background and Sunday walks along the Niagara River.

In his career, he worked through the ranks in the Ministry of Transportation. From surveying the highways of Northern Ontario to overseeing large projects around the Niagara and Burlington regions. His co-workers would often comment on how he was such a hardworking, fair and smart person.

In terms of hobbies, martial arts were his favourite. He spent many years practicing Aikido and later in life shared his love of this by teaching Tai Chi to many in the community.

In his home life, he will be remembered as a quiet, thoughtful person with an eagerness to learn and an openness to share. He could be found most evenings in his favourite easy chair reading books and articles on history, science and geography. We’d often ask probing questions about events in the news or historical facts just to hear his treatise. Often, you’d be treated to a story that would go back to the beginning of time. It was funny but always fascinating. He was our Google before Google existed.

Henry is survived by his wife Pierrette and children and their spouses Roxan (Will) and Michelle (Brek).

He made us feel cared for and safe. He taught us to see how lucky we were.

We wish to thank all of the staff at Elgin Falls Retirement Community in Niagara Falls for all their care, patience and support.

In keeping with his wishes, he will be cremated and the ashes dispersed in his favourite local walking spots. There will be no formal services. If desired, memorial donations can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or Canadian Lung Association.